Proposed N.C. MOA would limit flight over Outer Banks

AOPA opposes the Marines' proposed Core Military Operations Area (MOA) near the Outer Banks because it would squeeze general aviation into a narrow corridor.

"This proposal seems more like an airspace grab than a necessity," said Heidi Williams, AOPA director of air traffic services. "The Marines want the airspace for 16 hours a day simply because they plan to use the area for six minutes a day to transit from the coast to offshore alert and warning areas."

The Marines requested airspace from 3,000 feet msl to Flight Level 180 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Most pilots would avoid flying through the MOA during these times because of a lack of real-time status information.

This would force pilots flying over Cape Lookout National Seashore on the Outer Banks into a 1,000-foot corridor because they must stay at least 2,000 feet agl in that area.

AOPA has been working with the Marines to mitigate the effects of a Core MOA and recommends several alternatives.

Raise the floor of the MOA to 5,000 feet msl

Drop the MOA and establish a military training route or alert area

Institute a frequency and telephone number for pilots to obtain real-time status information on special-use airspace

AOPA members are encouraged to file comments on this proposal by January 31. Comments can be sent to: FAA, Eastern Service Center, System Support Group, AJO-2E2B.1, P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320.